Bulgarian singer DARA quotes Kanye West’s (now Ye) famous 2005 Grammy speech after winning the Eurovision 2026 - a historic first win for the country. After missing the competition for three years, Bulgaria emerged victorious in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. DARA represented the Balkan nation this year; before the competition even began, her songs and videos had received over 80 million listens and views.

With a staggering 516 total points - 204 from the jury and an additional 312 from the popular vote - Dara emerged victorious, making history as Bulgaria's first Eurovision Song Contest winner. However, her victory did not garner the kind of buzz her winning words did, which were taken from the iconic 2005 Grammy speech by West, got her.

“I guess we’ll never know,” she shouted at the press conference post her win.

Singer Darina Nikolaeva Yotova, better known by her stage name DARA, first gained notoriety in 2015 after competing in the Bulgarian final of The X Factor. The 27-year-old musician was born in Varna, the third-largest city in Bulgaria. She has a proven discography worthy enough to catapult her to the stature of a star musician. 

The singers' greatest singles, 'Thunder,' 'Call Me,' and 'Mr. Rover,' all topped the charts for weeks after they were released. In 2021 and 2022, DARA served as a mentor on The Voice of Bulgaria in addition to her burgeoning musical career. With the publication of her most recent album in 2025, she became more well-known throughout the world of music. 

While her repertoire is filled with bangers, for Eurovision 2026, she had a very special song that ultimately helped her win.

What song did DARA choose for Eurovision 2026?

With the song 'Bangaranga,' which she characterizes as pop music with folklore undertones, DARA represented Bulgaria. According to her, the name itself, which means "uproar, commotion, a beautiful kind of disorder," is derived from Jamaican slang. One can feel it before even understanding it because of its unadulterated vocal eloquence.

DARA’s win at Eurovision 2026 means so much for Bulgaria as it is more than just a musical accolade for the country. It is a landmark moment that has etched the nation’s name on the world map of music, from which the country seemed to be aloof for a while. The singer’s winning words were more than just quoting Kanye West; it was the declaration of Bulgaria’s arrival on the global music scene. 

Why do you think she chose to quote Kanye West in her moments of victory? Share your thoughts.

Written by

Harshit Kumar

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra